Kolo Toure announces intention to leave Manchester City

After four years at the Etihad Stadium the Ivory Coast international will depart at the end of the season, but admits he is hopeful of remaining in the Premier League

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has announced he will be leaving the club in the summer, but adds he is hopeful of remaining in England.

Toure arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2009, completing a reported £16 million [€18.8m] move from Arsenal before becoming an important part of the City team.

However, under Roberto Mancini he has generally be used in a squad rotation and will seek a new club in the summer as City have failed to offer him a new contract.

The 32-year-old told Sky Sports News: "I have been here for nearly four years, and two fantastic years when I have been playing a lot and I hear my songs with Yaya and I will miss those things.

"For me my family is here, my kids are at school and they like the area - but in two months nothing has come from the club and I am thinking about my future definitely.

"My first choice is this country, as I like English football - that is why I began playing football.

"After Cote d'Ivoire I came here, I don't know any other culture and it is important for me to stay here, I have been here for ten-years."

Toure also spoke about recently-crowned Premier League champions Manchester United, admitting that Sir Alex Ferguson's men have deserved their success this season.

He added: "They have been more consistent, more concentrated and I think we lost a bit of motivation and determination and that cost us the title.

"I think City need to start from the first game to the end of the season and try and be focused, like we were last season - every game, as the Premier League is so hard, you can beat Chelsea and then lose against Wigan and those games are key."